FARMINGTON — The Farmington Community Center, located at 127 Middle Street, is transitioning into the winter schedule, which means after-school programs for kids and basketball for a variety of ages. The recreation department will also be hosting a Christmas show, with practices scheduled throughout November.
The Community Center will begin after-school programs on Monday, Nov. 13, for high school and middle school students, and Tuesday, Nov. 14, for children between the second and fifth grade.
High school and middle school students’ after-school program hours are from 2 to 5:15 p.m. on Monday, Wednesday and Friday. The program offers an open gym for activities such as basketball, soccer, football, Frisbee and floor hockey. The area downstairs will be open to video games, air hockey, ping pong and foosball.
For the elementary school kids, the program’s hours are from 3 to 5:15 p.m. on Tuesday and Thursday only. Registration for both programs is required and can be done at farmingtonme.myrec.com. Both programs are free, but space is limited to a first come, first served basis.
The community center will also be offering a variety of basketball programs for kids ranging from kindergarten to sixth grade. For kindergarteners, an introductory basketball program called Lil’ Shooters will be offered starting Sunday, Oct. 29. Registration fee for residents is $25 and non-residents is $35.
A jersey will be included as the program will follow the nationally recognized Start Smart Program, which helps with age appropriate drills. Children will learn to practice motor skills, hand/eye coordination and even shooting. No experience is required and the program will span four classes throughout November.
For first graders, Prep Basketball will take the skills they learned and put them to use in a fun, pressure-free atmosphere. Also beginning on Sunday, Oct. 29, the program will cover dribbling, basic shooting technique, court boundaries, and game scenarios. Appropriate height baskets will be used to help children develop good shooting skills in the game.
Registration fees for Prep Basketball are $30 for residents and $40 for non-residents.
Finally, kids can take everything they have learned to Junior Pro Basketball, where participants are split into two co-ed age groups. Division One will comprise second and third grade children and Division Two will comprise fourth, fifth and sixth grade children. Children will participate in one game and at least one practice a week to continue developing their skills, make new friends, and have fun.
Registration begins Wednesday, Nov. 8, with resident fees set at $40 and non-resident fees at $50. A jersey will be included in the fee and at the time of registration, participants will be assigned to a skill and drill session, which will take place on a Saturday. Practice schedules will be handed out in the first week.
The community center is also seeking volunteer coaches for the Junior Pro Basketball teams. Coaching will require only a few hours of times for practice and games and program directors will be available to assist with any questions or problems.
The community center will be hosting a Christmas show performance with children on Saturday, Dec. 9, at 6 p.m. Registration is free and practice schedules are broken into two groups. Kids between the ages of three and four will meet on the following Mondays and Wednesdays in November from 5:15 to 5:45 p.m.: Nov. 8, 13, 15, 20, 29.
Kids ages five and up will meet on the same days from 5:50 to 6:30 p.m. In December, all groups will meet on Monday, Dec. 4 and Thursday, Dec. 7, for a full performance rehearsal from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m.
The color themes of the performance are purple, blue, silver, and gold. For more information, visit farmingtonme.myrec.com, or call [207] 778-3464.
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